Marco Island biggest celebrity is returning back to her roots on January 26th with a big celebration from 9:00am – 4:00pm at the Marco Island Museum. Thanks to the efforts of the Historical Society on the island, our little princess will be celebrated in a big way after raising 4.5 million to build the museum and install a three jewel cases display windows to house her and several other artifacts from the Cushing Expedition dating back to 1896.

The Marco Cat is one of the most important finds in Florida History. For the first time we discovered evidence of Pre-Columbia native American Heritage. Assumptions regarding the Calusa Indians were now fact. The Calusa were no longer the simple hunter and gatherers, the were artisans and warriors with sophistication compared to civilizations in Egypt.

Marco Mystery and History gives you and up close and personal side of the cat when it was discovered on the property of our founder W.D. Collier. The museum and the beautiful murals on the outside of the building introduces you to the history and the early settlers of the island. The cat is mystifying and life for the early pioneers…well let’s just say have tales of their own to tell.

The cat will be here for two years and the tour is seasonal between the months of October – April.

A big thank you to our last set of ghost riders on 12/7/18. Martha had two lovey couples who had several encounters during the history and mystery trip. The photo is from one of our stops called "The Otter Mound". We have a lovely gentleman whose ghost still to this day resides on his property. He thoroughly enjoys visitors and doesn't mind our guest visits to take a look at his beautiful property and shell wall. If you haven't figured out our ghost it is it is Mr. Otter himself. Martha our tour guide identified that Ernest was standing right in back of her. Take a look at the picture. Rest assure it is not her grey hair (that's in the front!). Look closely, it is a mist hovering over her head and slightly to the left.

In their photo. Martha just made the comment that he is right by her hand and her right arm was freezing. See the mist right on top of her hand!! This is not trick photography, these photos were submitted and neither of our guest admitted to working in "special effects"!!

IN addition to this experience one of our gentleman made direct contact with our Sea Captain at Cazambas Cemetery. Martha was told you can smell his cigar smoke. The connection was made and shyly admitted prior to boarding the van. I believe the comment made by our guest was "I'm freaked out right now."

Later at The Old Marco Inn orbs the size of beach balls came right towards them as seen through their camera lenses.

Still don't believe - come on out and see for yourself!! As Martha says "We don't guarantee encounters, however in five years we haven't missed yet!!"

Although we are in the throes of trick or treating, this is the first sign that the "Spirits of Christmas" are drawing nearer! Sign up for our special holiday tour on December 14th. Don your Santa, elf or reindeer hats and celebrate with the spirits of Marco while learning the history of the island. Martha Hatta, your guide will decide whether you are naughty or nice…

Hear the tale of how a Christmas Carol came to be. Find out who spirits haunt only on Christmas. Plenty of tales to tell and plenty of holiday spirits…our kind of spirits!!! Don't be left off Martha's sleigh…book now to reserve your seats!!!

No, it is not snowing in the picture. For all you who wish to "Debunk" the photo; I'm not a trick photographer or master manipulator on the web, it is not dust particles because they are way too large and the Olde Marco Inn does not have an infestation of fireflies in their attic!! These are orbs, flat cloudy disk. It is believed orbs are visible evidence of spirits. At times you can see faces in the orb. Orbs manifest to communicate, at times they can come in a range of different colors.

White - As you see in the picture is a connection with a spirit with a higher source of energy. White is a positive energy. It means either the spirit is there for protection or may be trapped in a dimension.

Clear - Is the spirit is trying to communicate with you. It is letting the living know that something significant happened at this location and the spirit wants help moving on. Many of these Orbs appear in battlefields.

Blue - Is associated with physic energy and truth. It is a spirit offering their guidance.

Gray or Smokey - It represents a spiritual depression or fear. This entity lacks total spiritual awareness.

Black or Brown - Can be associated with evil, not always the case. These orbs may be showing you an area that is unsafe or negative in nature. If you feel uncomfortable…leave!!

Red or Orange - Associated with safety and security. There are strong emotions attached to these entities such as anger, and passion. Whatever the case may be, they could be assigned to look over your wellbeing, your protector.

Green - Green is not envy, it is associated with the heart. These orbs don't have to be human forms. Could be your pet that never left your side. Most associated with nature 's energy.

If you love history, antiquing and small town flavor, place Arcadia on your top ten list of things to do! Head downtown and you will be hit with antique shops and malls from all different directions. If you love antiques as much as Martha (that’s me), you are in collection heaven.

Every nook and cranny has history, after all the early settlers arrived way back in the 1850’s; however if you dig even deeper you can trace snippets of history dating back to 1835 when the second Seminole War began. The Peace River natives were men of the cloth (always trying to change the Indian ways), saw mill and general store operators and of course ferry captains to transport goods.

I was so intrigued by the area, I found the last copies of Foot Prints and Landmarks I & II by local historian Howard Melton. So, pick a building and hear a ghost story. Let’s talk about the Arcadia Opera House. Currently the building is an antique mall and museum with the original theater still in place with pieces from days gone by including the original balcony, an old organ, theater seats, theater posters, pieces of scenery and tarps on display and many wonderful mementoes of the old opera/movie house. As you know I do dabble in theater, hence the Sisbarro Acting Studio on the island, so it is no small wonder I was drawn to the building and found myself right on stage exploring every corner as if I was back in 1906 when it was built.

The downtown area experienced a great fire in 1905 that literally took out most of the buildings on main street. A John J. Heard built the theater where he housed his banking business Florida Loan & Trust on the first floor. Upstairs he rented offices to other businesses, including the post office. The gemstone of the building was the theater, with box office located on the second floor. Not only was it used for theater performances, it housed vaudeville acts, black faced comedians, dances, town meetings, church and school functions, silent movies and later the talkies.

So who haunts? There are a number of apparitions. The most widely seen is a little girl in a frilly early 1900th dress. This makes sense because the parents used to leave their children in the hallway to play as the adults enjoyed the show. Nobody was watching because this little girl fell out the second story window. John Heard himself did not go far, ghost seekers have seen a man who looks exactly like Mr. Heard with his dark, distinguished, good looking features (full beard and mustache). Although he left Arcadia in 1911 after he divested himself the balance of the stock to Ira J. Johnson, he and four others connected to the bank were arrested and found guilty on 43 counts. He escaped jail by paying back all the depositors in full and the case against the bank was dismissed. Who knows, the guilt of having taken advantage of hard working townsfolk could be keeping him in toe.

The current owner of the antique mall does run “ghost nights” and claims to have many bookings for the season. I believe you get to “hang out” in the theater from 8:00pm – 2:00am. The owner does claim there was a suicide in the theater and a murder. When I asked “what happened”; I was told back in the day when you had hard drinking and entertainment going on, some wild things happened in the crowd. Someone insulted and someone settled the insult their own way.

Great day trip with lots of friendly shop owners with interesting stories. Happy Haunting,Martha

Mable Paige - One of the many newspaper clippings displayed in and around the theater

Right side backstage - Case for Harp that was used during productions

View of balcony seats (underneath is a good view of the antique mall)

Back left hand corner is old movie reel machine to show pictures, roman figure on chariot used in play, light board switch, and on the wall a tarp from one of the original painted backdrops.

A view of the stage from the floor - notice date on upper molding 1906!

One of my favorite cites to visit is Chicago and I love the history and ghost tours associated with "My Kind of Town". The Congress Hotel has been known to have more guest die than any other local hotel. Don't know if that is a good selling point for the hotel, however for Martha "book it". By the 1930's it was world famous from housing presidents, movie stars, mega business men and of course gangsters. Rumor has it Al Capone owned the Congress Hotel. No, not an owner, but a frequent guest of the hotel, at times renting out an entire floor. Other known gangsters are Tony Genna, of "The Terrible Genna Brothers". He had a suite to the toon of $100.00 per night, which is a lot of cabbage in the mid 1920's. Another frequent gangster guest is Vinnie "The Schemer" Drucci. According to mob legend there was an actual shoot out in the service hallway alongside the Florentine Ballroom. You are wondering in that direction, it is said you can hear the gunshots from that exact hallway. The Florentine Ballroom boast a famous ghost, Theodore Roosevelt. It was in this room, he made his grand announcement that he was leaving the GOP party to lead his own radical party; The Bull Moose Party in 1912. He never held office again, therefore his decision to leave GOP haunted him for eternity. A silhouette of him was taken in 2008 confirming the rumor.

Speaking of ball rooms (see photo), The Gold Room is also haunted. This ballroom is the most impressive ballroom of it's kind, a throwback to the days where ballrooms where the glitz and glory of the city's most luxurious hotels. One of the stories is a homeless man with a peg leg that was reported murdered in the 1920's. He was initially murdered on the 7th floor; however he has seen around the ballroom. Security guards have reported see him on their screens and charge to the area thinking a vagrant may have drifted inside the hotel, only to find an empty hallway that was preoccupied only minutes before. A bride and groom have been seen walking around the balcony and at times guest have heard an orchestra playing. The décor of the room is a haunting beautiful where many a wedding takes place. It can be booked starting at $5,000. The lowest fee must be a one hour cocktail hour for 100 persons.

The most haunting and heartbreaking is the story of Adele Langer. She and her family escaped from Prague when Hitler took over Czechoslovakia. In a state of temporary insanity she checked into the hotel. She was in total fear that she would be sent back to Prague after her Visa expired. Together with her two sons; Karel age six and Jan age four checked into a room on the twelfth floor. It is here in early August 1939 she threw both boys out the window before jumping herself. All three died. It is said the older son Karel is stuck on the twelfth floor and is said to chase guest down the hallway. The security staff still to this day claims this floor as the creepiest. By the way, the hotel does not give out this room, unless you specifically ask for it! Not recommended by hotel staff.

Many strange deaths and suicides; however the most ironic is the death of G.H. Palin who coined the phrase "Safety First" died at the hotel. It has been rumored he slipped in his tub, but we have confirmed it was a heart attack! It just makes for a better story to say he died of an accident.

Is it safe to stay as a guest? Yes, Martha is a frequent guest and has enjoyed many a calm evening in the hotel. Admittedly so sometimes you do feel as if you are at the Stanley Hotel from the shining; especially when you look at the old pictures of the dining room. I find myself looking for Jack Nicholson (see photo). Good walking location to the famed Buckingham Fountain, one of Chicago's most stunning landmarks from 1927.

Amazing enough the start of Route 66 begins in the Chicago on the corner of E. Michigan Ave and E Adams St. So can you get your "kicks from Route 66"? Well if kicks means CREEPY than you will get a big kick! Route 66 has in total 2,451 miles that runs across the United States. Let's talk about a few locations along the stretch. Just like the Bates Motel in the film "Psycho" you don't want to check in at the Hotel Monte Vista in Flagstaff, Arizona. There are 10 known ghost that haunt this hotel. As a matter of fact, they advertise a ghost of a good time and encourage you to speak with staff and explore haunted areas of the hotel. Why not book room 306; in the early 1940's two prostitutes were hired and thrown out of the window either during or after services. You have the feeling of being watched and if you are a male guest you may experience hands over placed over your mouth and throat enabling you to breath. You can encounter the friendly Bellboy dressed in an old fashion red coat with brass buttons still taking care of his guest. You will get a knock on the door with a muffled announcement of "room service". The only thing you are served is his presence! Even John Wayne experienced the ghostly bell boy in front of room 210. Mr. Wayne said the boy was friendly enough and was not disturbed by his presence, yet we are not John Wayne stature. His size may have scared our bellboy!!

In Missouri there is a stretch of the road called Lawler Ford Road; however the locals call it Zombie Road. Reports include the ghost of a man who was hit by a train in 1970, a old woman who screams at people from a house at the end of the road. Patrons must have made way to many U-turns in her driveway. Della Hamilton McCollough who was also hit by a railroad car in 1876. She haunts as a phantom with a bluish-white glow.

Here is one for the record book, there is an off-shoot of Route 66 called Route 666. Not a heavenly road to travel on late at night. There is a good possibility you will see a flaming truck come up from behind you. If this happens, we advise you pull over to the side of the road (rather quickly) and let the vehicle pass! As a matter of fact, one traveler pulled off theroad and literally ran for his life about 20 feet from his car to avoid getting hit all together. Smart man!

If you need to stop and visit a tourist attraction, why not stop at one of the primary attractions off of Route 66. This is the Meramec Cavers near Stanton, Missouri. The cavern boast limestone deposits over a million years old. Pre Columbian Native American Artifacts can be found in the caverns, so it is no surprise that a native American woman can be seen standing in a distant pool of water. The caverns also boast a mysterious man in black who is believed to be Jessie James himself!

Hint, hint...never skimp on your loved ones burial. Honor your dead because in a cemetery named Oak Hill, in Kansas (Route 66 has a thirteen mile stretch through Kanas, a widower did not bury his wife in glory and opted on the cheapest funeral he could get away with. A cheap coffin, no funeral service and a headstone that continually cracked. The cheap widower out of guilt replaced the headstone numerous time until he decided to move away from the town to rid himself of the responsibility. It is said his wife got her revenge by continually cracking her headstone in order to make him pay! She is still seen roaming through the cemetery, most likely admiring all the beautiful headstone and damaging hers.

Those are just a few stories, want to read more? There are several books published Haunted Route 66: Ghost of American's Legendary Highway or Route 66 Ghost Towns and Roadside Relics.

Thank you for all the numerous phone calls we have recently received. As soon as we were announced one of the Top Ten “Things to do on Marco Island” our phone has been ringing off the hook! SO, here is some background information when booking a tour...

In order for us to do private tours we do need at least two weeks in advance. We do not run daily tours (not yet anyway).

Private tours may be groups of 2 – 6 or to book a bus, you need a group of at least 15.

We can book a 26 passenger bus and for groups of over 40 we can book a charter bus.

Our only bad news is we are currently “off season”. Our first private tour may be booked the week-end of October 19th. Our first regular scheduled tour is 10/26th our famous “Trick or Treat” Tour.

All scheduled tours and private tours may be paid through our website. Just click on the scheduled designated date or click on private tour.

It has been 20 years since the death of Versace and the events that unfolded around South Beach. The horror of serial killer Andrew Cunanan and the mystery behind him left the Miami Beach House on the auction block for three years without a single buyer. An intrigued investor finally purchased the home for 19 million making it one of the country's most expensive homes and why not considering it has 10 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, and a 24 carat lined swimming pool.

It's new owners (Martha was able to grab a photo of the Nakash Family eating dinner poolside) turned the home into lavish boutique hotel catering to the entertainment world's biggest names such as Jay Z and Beyoncé tenting the courtyard for a lavish New Year's party or Drake taking some private time to write his music in the roof top observance (see dome with blue background and shimmering gold stars) and of course Martha Horror to test the halls for any indication of hauntings!

The home has become a popular boutique hotel where guest can stay for a "mere" $1,000.00 per night. What the hotel offers is lots of secrets and rumors left unsaid or kept hidden from the guest. Here is what we know.

Versace although openly gay, did love his privacy in regards to the comings and goings of his male friends. There are trap doors and secret passageways that were designed throughout the home. Versace did have shortcuts from his bedrooms to let's say other places in the home. One such place is what is known currently as the G Lounge. In addition, Versace did have private viewing room to the huge Moroccan Showers that was located adjacent to the villa's gym. It was said Versace enjoyed a cocktail with a view.

Undiscovered, even by Versace is a supposed time capsule carefully hidden within the walls of the mansion when it was built in 1930. The hiding place died along with the architect who installed the time capsule and died in 1937. Perhaps some of the hauntings may be associated with some of the precious belongings from that era.

Versace used the head of Medusa as the center piece for his courtyard. The head is made up of thousands of title and eerily looks up from the courtyard to watch over the guest of the mansion.

Versace was a bit of a clothes horse himself. It just wasn't about making woman beautiful, it was about expressing himself as a top designer with impeccable taste. Believe it or note twenty three thousand feet of square footage could not store his clothing. He had hidden cubbies around the property to store his overflow of clothing. In some rooms, guest have the privilege of storing their clothing "out of sight" as not to take away from the beautiful décor.

One of the most expensive pieces in the house that was not auctioned off is his lux toilet carved from a slab of marble and the seat and lid plated with 24 karat gold. You can say there is seat in the house fit for a king.

Below the observatory used to be the home for Versace's carrier pigeons. It is said he and his friends used his little pets for those intimate secret messages or invites.

Last secret of the mansion is the tile around his pool is supposed to be a secret cryptic message for all who wishes to decode. Another case for Robert Langdon from the Da Vinci Code.

So, is it haunted. Most of the hauntings come with the feeling for the loss of a true artist and designer. Although Versace autopsy revealed he had contracted aides, he seemed to be turning his illness around (despite a few tiresome years and less of an entertaining lifestyle) and was predicted to live a prognoses longer life than originally expected. Who knows what the fashion world may have breathed if he lived longer.

Versace was a beloved member of the community and some of the local elders still feel his presence when they pass in front of the iron gates where Versace was gunned down while searching for his key to unlock his entranceway. If a room is haunted it is the massive 1,174 square foot bedroom of Versace himself. Some say he walks through the tunnels of his secret passage ways and you tend to watch those gold plated door knobs as the seemingly turn as Versace checks in for the night.

All in all an interesting experience with lots of history, mystery and an extravagance that Versace was personified.

Martha hanging out in the Versace bedroom!

Photo of the interior of the home

Nakash Family- owners of America clothing company Jordache Enterprises purchased Versace home in 2013 for 41.5 million

How do you catch a ghostly visitor? Notice the mist gathered in the room. The fame tea room did not have a cloud formation go through; it did have one or more visitors taking a seat for a cup of tea. Great trip for you ladies with the “red hats”.